Schedule
Hillsdale College (0-0) at #1 UT-Tyler (3-3) | 4:30 p.m. ET Friday, Feb. 6 | Irwin Field – Tyler, TX
Hillsdale College (0-0) vs Northeastern St. (4-0) | 11 a.m. ET Saturday, Feb. 7 | Irwin Field – Tyler, TX
Hillsdale College (0-0) at #1 UT-Tyler (3-3) | 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Feb. 7 | Irwin Field – Tyler, TX
Hillsdale College (0-0) vs Northeastern St. (4-0) | 11 a.m. ET Sunday, Feb. 8 | Irwin Field – Tyler, TX
Hillsdale College (0-0) vs New Mexico Highlands (2-3) | 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Feb. 8 | Irwin Field – Tyler, TX
 
Links
Live stats & Video | Hillsdale Roster | UT Tyler Roster | NE St. Roster | NM Highlands Roster | Hillsdale Stats | UT Tyler Stats | NE St. Stats | NM Highlands Stats |  G-MAC Standings | G-MAC Stats
 
Outlook
The Hillsdale College softball team begins its 2026 season with a stiff challenge in the Lone Star State, heading to the two-time defending DII national champion UT-Tyler for five games, including two matchups with the Patriots.

UT Tyler had a historic season to repeat as national champions last year, going 62-5 and a perfect 5-0 at the World Series, but the team the Chargers will face in Texas is nearly completely different, as Jason Miller succeeds retired coaching legend Mike Reed as the head of the program, and just five players who saw the field in 2025 and one starter return.

That one returning starter is a good one, as catcher and All-South Central Region honoree Taryn Barney returns to bat cleanup for the Patriots in 2026. With little experience returning, UT Tyler was active in the transfer portal, and their top four hitters over their first weekend all have collegiate experience elsewhere – Kiara Wiedenhaupt from the JuCo ranks, Lauren Granger at West Texas A&M, Dezirae Lopez from Sam Houston St., and Sydney Lynn from Midwestern St. Freshman Kaelyn Lerma is another new face who played well in her first collegiate action.

In the circle, UT Tyler is starting fresh after losing all three of their starting pitchers from last year's title run. Another West Texas A&M transfer, Kendall Selitzky, started three of UT Tyler's six games on the opening weekend, going 1-2 with a 4.20 ERA and 11 strikeouts, while JuCo transfer Kearston Gooch and freshman Addison Martindale each got at least one start as well. One of the team's few returners, sophomore Kaylee Harris, also made three relief appearances the first weekend for Tyler, and Karmen Miller and Alli Kimball are also in the staff for the Patriots.

Along with a strong foe in UT Tyler, there's another potentially excellent team awaiting the Chargers in Texas. Northeastern St. was the surprise story of opening weekend in the DII softball world, coming off a 15-33 season in 2025 to stun sixth ranked North Georgia and perennial NCAA Tournament teams Lenoir-Rhyne and Spring Hill in a shocking 4-0 start.

First-year head coach Cassidy Bowen has transformed the roster, with just six players returning from last year's squad. Bowen held on to one of the Riverhawks' best, All-MIAA Player Korynn Tindel, a two-way talent who was MIAA Player of the Week last week after batting .643 with five doubles and eight RBIs in four games. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M transfer Emily Carpenter and JuCo transfers Mattison Hamilton, Ashlynn Turner and Annsleigh Morris also impressed at the plate against top competition, while sophomore Madison Nance, another returner, also had strong at bats.

In the circle, former Rogers State player Jensyn Elder gave up no runs in 8.2 innings and two wins, while Mid-America Christian transfer Brooke Wyatt and freshman Cameron Kimball also had strong outings. In relief, the Riverhawks can turn to veterans in Tindel and former JuCo pitcher Gracie Turner, among others.

Hillsdale closes out the weekend trip against New Mexico Highlands. The Cowgirls went 2-3 at the South Central Regional challenge, albeit against tough competition. Highlands is looking to rebound from a 15-38 season in 2025 that saw them finish 11^th in the RMAC.

Like at Northeastern State, first-year head coach Kali Pugh has brought in 18 new faces to remake the roster. Highlands does return two key bats in Jazmyn Griego and Andrea DeLaTrinidad, who were among the team's RBI leaders in 2025 and are off to solid starts in 2026. JuCo transfers Liliana Vigil German and Jolissa Valdez also hit well in the opening weekend for the Cowgirls, as did freshman Hallie Watkins and returner Shalyene Saladin, who's moved into the starting lineup.

In the circle, Griego was Highlands' ace in 2025 and started one of the Cowgirls' two victories on opening weekend. JuCo transfer London Lamb got the most action, starting three games with a 1-2 record, while both Vigil German and Valdez are pitchers with real talent who will see a lot of action for Highlands as well.

Hillsdale is coming into 2026 off one of the best seasons in school history, winning 39 games, one shy of the program record, and making the program's deepest-ever NCAA Tournament run. While the Chargers have holes to fill after graduating a stellar senior class, significant talent also returns for Hillsdale, especially at the plate, where past All-Region honorees Taylor Lewis and Maggie Olaveson are both in the lineup for their senior seasons, as well as leadoff hitter Emma Sather, who set the single-season program record for stolen bases in 2025, talented third baseman Anna Chellman, junior shortstop Sydney Davis and All-G-MAC designated player Olivia Liguori. Adding to that core, Hillsdale has several reserves in 2025 eager to make a bigger mark in 2026, and a strong class of newcomers led by Miami (OH) transfer Nathalie Hagle who will be competing for playing time as well.

In the circle, Hillsdale loses first-team All-American Joni Russell, who rewrote the Chargers' pitching record book during a stellar four-year career. While she'll be tough to replace, Hillsdale does have a large staff of talented arms for a variety of situations, led by senior and veteran Mackenzi Maxson. Sophomores Grace Harris and Anistyn Foster look to build on promising freshman seasons, and Gracelynn Kelly also returns from an injury that ended her 2025 season early to add veteran depth. Freshmen Katie Jonas and Neely Grantham will be in the mix as well.

Hillsdale is playing all three of its opponents for the first time in program history this weekend.